US Air Force,
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska: An F-22A Raptor demonstrated its air power during the wrap up Aug. 20 of the 90th Fighter Squadron's 90th anniversary.
Former and current members of the 90th FS gathered here Aug. 17-20 to recall the squadron's past and look forward to its future.
“It is very humbling to be part of a squadron with such a great legacy,” said Capt. Matt Byrne, 90th FS F-22 pilot and youngest member of the squadron. “I am excited to join the 'Dicemen' as we start a new and important chapter of the squadron.”
The 90th was initially activated Aug. 20, 1917, as the 90th Aero Squadron at Kelly Field in San Antonio. During the first few months of its existence, men trained there for World War I operations. Nearly two months later, the men arrived at Le Havre, France as the initial cadre of officers and enlisted men to prepare the infrastructure necessary to support their flying mission. The air contingent arrived soon after this first group.
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The F-22A Raptor takes off with afterburners during a demonstration Aug. 20 at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The demo was the closing event of the 90th Fighter Squadron's 90th anniversary. The aircraft was flown by Maj. Paul Moga, the Air Force's sole F-22 demonstration pilot. He is assigned to the 1st Operations Group at Langley AFB, Va. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Garrett Hothan)
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In its 90 years of existence, the Air Force's fourth oldest fighter squadron was renamed 14 times and inactivated for nearly two years in the late '40s-early '50s. In the past 34 years, its members have flown biplanes, attack and cargo aircraft, bombers, and fighters. The squadron, “Pair-o-Dice”, has had 41 home stations in its time. The Dicemen, as its members are known, have participated in many major conflicts, including World Wars I and II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm/Shield and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Bill Haynes, a retired lieutenant colonel, was one of the former members who attended the event. He was the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron commander in Vietnam in 1967-68 and flew 187 combat missions, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
Shortly fter arriving at Bien Hoa, Vietnam, in June 1967, Colonel Haynes was appointed the squadron commander. The squadron flew F-100s then.
“In spring of '68, I was appointed Bien Hoa deputy base commander, reluctantly relinquishing command of the 90th, but continued to fly combat,” he recalled.
He said that attending this reunion and being back with the 90th was the high point in his life, second only to commanding the squadron. “It was unbelievable … the 'Dice' are in good hands,” he said getting choked up.
Colonel Haynes, who retired from active duty in 1970, was the keynote speaker at a reception for the 90th. As the eldest member of the 90th FS attending the reunion, he was able to express the feelings he has toward all the Dicemen then and now.
“Airplanes come and go and we surely do get attached to them, but people are people,” he said. “Unquestionably, 'Whats' are important in life, but the 'Whos' are what really count in the end. The 90th seems to have always been blessed with special 'Whos',” Colonel Haynes said.
No one knows what the next 90 years will bring to this squadron. Its members, however, are “extremely motivated to live up the long tradition of excellence that precedes us,” Captain Byrne said.
“Clearly, it began on those muddy fields in 1917, and continues to this day. It behooves us all to see to it that (this tradition) continues as long as America needs the Dice,” said the former commander. “Dice then, Dice now, Dice forever!”
